>> reporter: mitt romney spent part of his day down playing a comment made yesterday when he mistakingly voiced concerned for mandatory coverage for contraception. he says he misunderstood a report's question. >>> california senator barbara boxer implied companies would opt out for the wrong reasons -- >> reporter: -- >> it allows any insurance company that doesn't want to provide a service, maybe an expensive service to say, i meant to tell you i have a moral objection to this. >> it may not change any minds but this issue will not go away. >> reporter: republicans say companies with religious affiliations should not be forced to provide health insurance for contraceptives. they say the requirement violates the first amendments guarantee of religious freedom. >>> more now on those day of action protests all over the bay area. students at uc santa cruz tried to keep people from entering the university. they only made two exceptions, robert handa tells us. >> reporter: uc santa cruz students blocked the main entrances of the campuses starting early this morning. >> who's university? >> ou